Rev Philip Burns continues the series of sermons on ‘The Disciple’s Prayer’ by highlighting the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:9b, ‘Hallowed be Your name’. By these words Jesus taught that as we pray we must always remember to whom we are praying and that God’s name is great and worthy of praise and we need to remember that we have no right to come before Him apart from His grace. However if we pray this way, we will lay ourselves open to the charge of hypocrisy if we do not live in a way that honours God’s name. This comes first in Jesus’ prayer because it is a matter of the heart and reminds us that God’s concerns ought to come way ahead of our own.

Rev Philip Burns continues this series of sermons on ‘The Disciple’s Prayer’ by highlighting the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:9a, ‘Our Father in heaven’. By these words Jesus taught that praying to God this way is only possible by God’s grace. It is not by our efforts or works that anyone belongs to God’s family, but only by this free gift. These words also imply that no-one comes to God alone and that there are others who because of the same grace, also call Him ‘Father’. It also aligns us to being his sons and daughters who do His will and live as His people in the world.

Philip Burns begins this series of sermons on prayer by highlighting the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:5-8. Prayer is to be approached with a sincere heart. It is not for outward show. We do not pray to impress others or God as if we are performing for Him. Jesus spoke of praying behind a ‘closed door’. Prayer is also to be approached with a confident assurance. We do not need big words in order to have an audience with God. Real prayer comes out of a relationship with the God who loves and welcomes His children into His presence.